Afternoon Fire Damages Rural Washington County Home

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A Sunday afternoon fire caused extensive damage to a two-story home in rural Washington County.

Firefighters from five departments responded to a report of smoke and flames just after 4 p.m. at a house on Olive Road in Reed. Those Fire Departments are Whitehouse, Elkins, Boston Mountain, Round Mountain and Sunset.

Access to the site was limited to a one-lane road, which caused complications when coupled with the lack of readily available water, officials said.

Firefighters were still battling to bring the fire under control three hours after the initial report. The fire started in the carport and spread to the main structure of the house as firefighters arrived on the scene.

Rick Shepherd, Sunset Fire Department Chief, said they used water from ponds and streams nearby and said fighting fires in communities like the one on Olive Road is a challenge.

“We’re working on getting a substation built down in this area, which will help response time,” Shepherd said. “The roads aren’t the greatest trying to get here especially with heavy trucks.”

Officials said the homeowners were not home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries. There is a llama farm on the property.